Preparation and Chemical Protective Clothing Application of PVDF Based Sodium Sulfonate Membrane

Abstract

Chemical protective clothing (CPC) is major equipment to protect human skin from hazardous chemical warfare agents (CWAs), especially nerve agents and blister agents. CPC performance is mainly dominated by the chemical protective material, which needs to meet various requirements, such as mechanical robustness, protective properties, physiological comfort, cost-effectiveness, and dimensional stability. In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based sodium sulfonate membranes with different ion exchange capacities (IECs) are prepared simply from low-cost materials. Their mechanical properties, contact angles, permeations, and selectivities have been tested and compared with each other. Results show that membranes with IEC in the range of 1.5–2 mmol g−1 have high selectivities of water vapor permeation over CWA simulant vapor permeation and good mechanical properties. Therefore, PVDF-based sodium sulfonate membranes are potential materials for CPC applications.

Sulfonated poly(styrene‐isobutylene‐styrene) grafted with hexyl‐ and butyl‐imidazolium chloride ionic liquids

“…Except for SIBS‐g‐HexlmCl, Figure 9(A) shows that all SIBS‐PIL's membranes that were synthesized exhibited a water vapor transmission rate above 2000 g m −2 day −1 , exceeding the acceptable range of 1500–2000 g m −2 day −1 that denotes breathability. Breathability is an essential requirement in CPC as it prevents severe heat stress and injury resulting from body perspiration 25,27 . Figure 9(B) indicates that the incorporation of polymeric ionic liquid moieties and sulfonic groups notably enhanced the effective vapor permeability of water ( P eff H 2 O ) through SIBS membranes as a result of an increase in the hydrophilic domains, which promoted the transfer of water molecules in the polymeric matrix and thus improved the breathability in the membranes 25 …”

“…These polymers provide efficient protection by hindering the passage of chemicals in vapor and liquid states. In doing so, they also block the water vapor transport which causes heat stress and fatigue problems in the wearer because of alterations in the cooling process of the body 13,18,25 …”

“…Given the breathability concerns of the traditional materials, semi‐permeable barriers like polyelectrolyte membranes (PEMs) have been successfully utilized due to their, selective permeability, agent protective properties, and ability to transport water through their structure 20 . PEMs are formed by hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks, which self‐assemble during the membrane elaboration process allowing the formation of nanoscale hydrophilic channels 25 . Some PEMs used in the manufacture of CPCs include polystyrene sulfonic acid, sulfonated poly (phenylene sulphide) (S‐PPS), sulfonated poly (styrene‐isobutylene‐styrene) (S‐SIBS), Nafion, and Nexar 13,20,26 .…”

“…In doing so, they also block the water vapor transport which causes heat stress and fatigue problems in the wearer because of alterations in the cooling process of the body. 13,18,25 Given the breathability concerns of the traditional materials, semi-permeable barriers like polyelectrolyte membranes (PEMs) have been successfully utilized due to their, selective permeability, agent protective properties, and ability to transport water through their structure. 20 PEMs are formed by hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks, which selfassemble during the membrane elaboration process allowing the formation of nanoscale hydrophilic channels.…”

“…20 PEMs are formed by hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks, which selfassemble during the membrane elaboration process allowing the formation of nanoscale hydrophilic channels. 25 Some PEMs used in the manufacture of CPCs include polystyrene sulfonic acid, sulfonated poly (phenylene sulphide) (S-PPS), sulfonated poly (styrene-isobutylene-styrene) (S-SIBS), Nafion, and Nexar. 13,20,26 To improve selectivity in these polymers, several researchers have made modifications like grafting copolymers and composite membranes using ZnO nanoparticles, 20 reactive metalorganic framework nanoparticles, 21 and carbon nanotubes.…”